Senior RF Engineer
About The Position
Cowboy Space Corporation is building infrastructure for space-based solar energy and the orbital economy, including satellites that transmit energy and provide on-orbit computing and optical data transport. The company is based in San Carlos, California. The Senior RF Engineer will own the selection, development, and integration of radio systems and associated RF hardware for launch vehicles and spacecraft. This hands-on individual contributor will translate mission requirements into reliable communications systems connecting ground stations and vehicles, with technical ownership across suppliers and electrical, mechanical, software, integration, and test teams. The role covers RF system trades, link budgets, hardware bring-up and characterization, environmental qualification, vehicle integration, and flight support.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in electrical, computer, or aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field.
- At least 8 years of experience developing or integrating RF communications systems for space applications, including hands-on hardware verification and environmental qualification.
- Experience translating communications requirements into radio and antenna selections, link budgets, and hardware- or system-level verification plans.
- Proficiency with RF laboratory equipment, including vector network analyzers, spectrum or signal analyzers, signal generators, power meters, and oscilloscopes.
- Working knowledge of digital communications and modulation, RF measurement methods, and EMI/EMC mitigation through grounding, shielding, filtering, and cable routing.
- Ability to use Python or MATLAB for test support and data analysis, document results clearly, and resolve integration issues with suppliers and engineers from other disciplines.
Nice To Haves
- Experience taking supplier-provided flight radios through vehicle integration, ground-station testing, and on-orbit operations.
- Experience with CCSDS protocols, software-defined radio interfaces, or modulation and coding schemes used in satellite communications.
- Experience automating RF instruments using SCPI, VISA, or comparable interfaces, and working in Linux environments.
- Experience applying space-hardware qualification and acceptance standards such as GEVS, MIL-STD-1540, SMC-S-016, or ECSS, and planning EMI/EMC verification.
- Experience using RF analysis tools such as HFSS, FEKO, ADS, or AWR, or preparing technical material for spectrum licensing and coordination.
Responsibilities
- Define RF requirements and maintain telemetry and command link budgets, accounting for antenna performance, losses, interference, and ground-station compatibility.
- Evaluate radios, antennas, and RF components for required bands from UHF through Ka-band, including performance, interfaces, qualification evidence, and integration risks.
- Own radio and RF hardware bring-up, configuration, characterization, and integration with flight software and vehicle avionics; work with suppliers to resolve interface and performance issues.
- Develop and execute RF hardware acceptance and qualification plans, including applicable functional, vibration, shock, thermal, thermal-vacuum, and EMI/EMC testing.
- Coordinate test facilities and equipment, lead test readiness, and maintain verification records.
- Develop RF test benches, fixtures, cabling, calibration methods, and automation with the test team; identify testability needs and support repeatable acceptance testing for subsequent builds.
- Lead RF anomaly investigations involving hardware, software, test equipment, and ground interfaces; verify corrective actions and support flight operations.
- Prepare technical inputs for FCC licensing and coordinate compatibility testing with ground-station providers.
- Resolve RF interference and coexistence issues with payload and vehicle teams.
- Partner with the navigation sensor owner on GNSS antenna and RF interfaces, interference, and compatibility while retaining communications-system ownership.
Benefits
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
- 401(k) retirement savings plan.
- Paid time off.
- 10 paid holidays per calendar year.
- Paid parental leave.
- Relocation assistance if applicable.
- Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
